Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Paris to commemorate the victims of a mass arrest of Jews in Nazi-occupied France in 1942.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Paris to commemorate the victims of a mass arrest of Jews in Nazi-occupied France in 1942.

More than 13,000 Jews were rounded up and detained at a cycling stadium, the Velodrome d'Hiver, before being deported to Nazi death camps.

More than 13,000 Jews were rounded up and detained at a cycling stadium, the Velodrome d'Hiver, before being deported to Nazi death camps.

Mr Netanyahu will also hold direct talks for the first time with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Mr Netanyahu will also hold direct talks for the first time with French President Emmanuel Macron.

He is the first Israeli prime minister to attend the Vel d'Hiv commemorations.

He is the first Israeli prime minister to attend the Vel d'Hiv commemorations.

"I'm here to mourn the victims," Mr Netanyahu told an audience in Paris, which included Jewish group sand Holocaust survivors.

"I'm here to mourn the victims," Mr Netanyahu told an audience in Paris, which included Jewish group sand Holocaust survivors.

"Seventy-five years ago, a heavy darkness descended on this city... It seems the values of the French revolution - equality, fraternity, liberty - was crushed brutally under the boot of anti-Semitism."

"Seventy-five years ago, a heavy darkness descended on this city... It seems the values of the French revolution - equality, fraternity, liberty - was crushed brutally under the boot of anti-Semitism."

While warning against the dangers of modern extremism, he hailed the "great, great human beings" who had risked their lives to save Jews in France during Nazi occupation.

While warning against the dangers of modern extremism, he hailed the "great, great human beings" who had risked their lives to save Jews in France during Nazi occupation.

Out of the more than 13,000 Jews arrested by French police on 16 and 17 July 1942, about 4,000 were children.

Out of the more than 13,000 Jews arrested by French police on 16 and 17 July 1942, about 4,000 were children.

The families were taken to the Velodrome D'Hiver, a cycling stadium near the Eiffel Tower, or an internment camp set up just outside the capital at Drancy.

The families were taken to the Velodrome D'Hiver, a cycling stadium near the Eiffel Tower, or an internment camp set up just outside the capital at Drancy.

They were then deported by train, mostly to Auschwitz concentration camp. Fewer than 100 people survived.

They were then deported by train, mostly to Auschwitz concentration camp. Fewer than 100 people survived.

The episode remains controversial in France. Marine Le Pen, Mr Macron's far-right opponent in this year's election, drew strong criticism on 9 April when she suggested France was not responsible for the tragedy.

The episode remains controversial in France. Marine Le Pen, Mr Macron's far-right opponent in this year's election, drew strong criticism on 9 April when she suggested France was not responsible for the tragedy.

But speaking at the ceremony on Sunday, President Macron reaffirmed that "it was France that organised" the mass arrest.

The visit has drawn consternation from critics of the Israeli PM.

The visit has drawn consternation from critics of the Israeli PM.

Some in France have criticised Mr Netanyahu's attendance at the commemoration ceremony arguing it was becoming too politicised.

Some in France have criticised Mr Netanyahu's attendance at the commemoration ceremony arguing it was becoming too politicised.

Elie Barnav, a former French ambassador to Israel, told AFP news agency: "The presence of Netanyahu makes me a little uneasy.

The Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP), a pro-Palestinian organisation, described the decision to invite Mr Netanyahu as "shocking" and "unacceptable".

The Union of French Jews for Peace (UJFP), a pro-Palestinian organisation, described the decision to invite Mr Netanyahu as "shocking" and "unacceptable".

However, France's best-known association of Jewish groups, CRIF, took part in the event.

However, France's best-known association of Jewish groups, CRIF, took part in the event.

After the ceremony, Mr Netanyahu will hold talks with Mr Macron, where commentators say he will be probing his French counterpart's intentions towards the Middle East peace process.

Mr Netanyahu's last official visit to France was to attend the unity march following the attacks on satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, police officers, and a kosher supermarket in January 2015.

After Sunday's ceremony, he is to hold talks with Mr Macron, where commentators say he will be probing his French counterpart's intentions towards the Middle East peace process.

When Mr Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Paris earlier this month, he reiterated France's support for a two-state solution and opposition to Israel's building of settlements in occupied territory.

When Mr Macron met Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in Paris earlier this month, he reiterated France's support for a two-state solution and opposition to Israel's building of settlements in occupied territory.

The meeting with Mr Netanyahu comes amid concerns of another increase in violence in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

The meeting with Mr Netanyahu comes amid concerns of another increase in violence in the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

Two Israeli policemen were killed and a third wounded by three Israeli Arabs in a gun attack close to the compound in Jerusalem known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif on Friday. The attackers were later killed by security forces.

Two Israeli policemen were killed and a third wounded by three Israeli Arabs in a gun attack close to the compound in Jerusalem known to Jews as the Temple Mount and to Muslims as Haram al-Sharif on Friday. The attackers were later killed by security forces.

The holy site was closed after shooting but Israel said it would be reopening on Sunday.